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BATMAN
ARRIVAL AT BLACKWATER HILL:
The mansion sat high up on a hill overlooking the Atlantic with winds cutting like razors. You could faintly see the windows glowing amidst the thick fog.
Blackwater Hill had a history of old money, secrets, and an owner who never trusted a soul. Scrooge McDuck was his name and he had invited us all for what he referred to as a “Friendsgiving gathering.” McDuck inviting strangers to his old mansion is worth an eyebrow raise.
I don’t attend gatherings nor have friends. But I do like a mystery.
I was the first to arrive.
Wadsworth, the butler, welcomed me at the door alongside two maids. One was crawling in fear and the other was calm.
“Mr. Batman,” Wadsworth started, “You are the first to arrive.”
“Where’s Scrooge?” I questioned.
“Mr. McDuck will be with you shortly,” He quickly replied.
See, Scrooge didn't come like Wadsworth said.This was the second I knew something was off about this “gathering.”
By the time it was six o’clock, other guests had joined me at the door.
Bloom had red hair, warm radiation eyes that took over her cold outside.
Eleven was silent, very observant, as her eyes scanned the surroundings like she could see the floors breathing.
Strawberry Shortcake was dressed in a pretty pink dress that smelt like sugar cookies.
None of us knew each other. Although we were all here for Scrooge.
As we entered the mansion, the heavy metal doors slammed behind us, startling almost everyone.
Bloom frowned. “That was definitely not an accident.”
I don’t like this.
THE FIRST MURDER:
Wadsworth insisted on starting the evening off with a few drinks to lighten the mood. The drinks were back in the cellar, where you had to navigate through long narrow hallways, lined with creepy portraits whose eyes seemed to follow you as you walked. I just walked, never talked.
Bloom quietly asked Eleven, “Do you feel something is off?”
He nodded in response. “No details? Something is definitely wrong.”
That's when I heard it.
A scream.
A thud.
A body, falling to the ground.
It was Pikachu. He was motionless in the hallway with a knife sticking out from his chest. No struggle. Nothing.
Garfield, who had run off looking for snacks of course, was standing in disbelief over Pikachu.
“I-I-I-I just f-found him like this,” he stuttered.
Bloom had her jaw to the floor. Eleven stepped closer with his eyes widening with every inch.
The calm maid approached the body.
She steadily asked, “Should I call the police?”
Her voice was too steady. And unsettling.
Before I could slip a word out, Wadsworth entered the hallway, interrupting the situation.
He urgently stated, “Ladies and gentlemen, let us not have a tragedy ruin this fine evening. Drinks are waiting for you.
Bloom stared at him. Shakily yelling, “HELLO?! Someone was just MURDERED!”
Eleven, still whispering, said, “He’s hiding something, isn’t he?”
The butler stiffened.
He was covering something.
The maid was definitely hiding something and someone in the mansion is a killer.
THE SECOND MURDER:
Dinner was served at eight o’clock. Which was weird, saying we were still having dinner even though someone was just killed.
Garfield was sitting next to me. Still shaking with fear. Strawberry shortcake sat beside him and was smiling so innocently, still smelling of sugar cookies.
Bloom was located across from me, carefully examining her surroundings.
Eleven joined beside her with her hands interlocked, eyes twitching.
Butler Wadsworth served himself and the moment I saw, a brief moment of confusion overcame me. This was enough to tell me everything.
Garfield immediately chowed down into his plate with glee.
Two bites. That’s it.
He froze in fear.
The fork dropped to his plate, clattering to the floor.
He tried to stand, but his legs seemed not to work. He eventually stumbled to the bathroom.
Bloom stood up abruptly. “Garfield, are you okay?”
No response. Just coughing.
Eleven responded instead. “No he is not, Bloom”
The maid calmly stepped forward as if she had something to say.
She did. “I will call the police now.”
But when she said it, it was almost as if she was asking for permission. This is weird. But then Scrooge arrived.
Was furious and very much alive.
“Batman,” he snapped, “a word. Outside. Now.”
He pulled me outside.
“The maid told me everything,” he cautiously whispered. “Strawberry Shortcake tried to kill me, Batman.”
The maid only told him half the truth. He must not know about the others.
She witnessed Shortcake kill Pikachu but accepted a bribe for silence.
She must have.
But when Garfield died, she panicked.
Scrooge must have told her to call the police. He didn’t want to be involved. He just wanted to expose Strawberry Shortcake.
Bloom quietly approached us outside. “Batman… I think Strawberry Shortcake isn’t who you think she is.
Well I knew this by now, but she just confirmed it.
“And why do you say that?” I questioned firmly to seem as if I didn’t know anything.
Eleven popped out from behind stating, “She’s scared. But not of us.”
I nodded. “Good. Now let's make sure she is.”
BLOOM
ARRIVAL AT BLACKWATER HILL:
The moment I stepped out of the car, I felt it. Not warmth. Not the kind of fire I’m used to. This was different. It was colder, heavier. Like something pressing down on my chest, warning me before I even understood why. The mansion sat high on the hill, surrounded by fog that clung to the ground like it didn’t want to let go. The windows glowed faintly, but it didn’t feel inviting. It felt like something inside was waiting.
“Yeah… this place is off,” I muttered.
Batman was already there, standing near the door like he had been expecting trouble from the start. He didn’t say much, but he didn’t have to. You could tell by the way he stood—alert, focused. Inside, the air felt thick. Like every step mattered. Eleven stood a few feet away, her eyes scanning everything.
“Do you feel that?” I asked her quietly.
She nodded slightly. “Something is wrong.”
That was all I needed to hear. The doors slammed shut behind us.
I flinched. “Okay, yeah. That was definitely not an accident.”
No one disagreed.
And still there was no sign of Scrooge McDuck.
The person who brought us all here wasn’t even present.
That’s when I knew this wasn’t just strange.
It was planned.
THE FIRST MURDER:
We were on our way to the cellar for drinks, following the butler through long, narrow hallways. The walls were lined with portraits that seemed to watch us as we passed.
I didn’t like it.
“Do you feel like we’re being watched?” I whispered.
Eleven nodded again.
Then there was a scream followed by a loud thud. Everything stopped. We ran toward the sound, and that’s when I saw him.
Pikachu.
Lying in the hallway, completely still.
My breath caught. “No… no, that’s not…”
Garfield stood nearby, shaking. “I-I just found him! I didn’t do anything!”
I don’t know if I fully believed him. This didn’t feel like panic from guilt, it felt real but I couldn't trust anyone.
My eyes scanned the room. No signs of struggle. Just… sudden.
Which made it worse.
The maid stepped forward.
“Should I call the police?”
I turned to her sharply. “Someone just died and you sound completely calm. How is that normal?!”
She didn’t answer. That silence said more than anything else. Then the butler stepped in.
“Let us not allow this tragedy to interrupt the evening. Drinks are waiting.”
I stared at him. “Are you serious right now? Someone was murdered!”
But he didn’t react.
That’s when something clicked in my mind. They weren’t surprised. Not really. Which meant, someone here knew this was going to happen.
THE SECOND MURDER:
Dinner shouldn’t have happened.
It didn’t make sense. Not after what we had just seen. But somehow, we all ended up seated at the table anyway. Like we were being pushed forward. I sat across from Batman, watching everything closely now. Garfield sat near me, still shaken. Strawberry Shortcake sat beside him, smiling softly, acting like everything was completely normal. Too normal. I didn’t trust it. The butler began placing plates in front of us. For a split second, he hesitated. Just for a moment. But I saw it. Batman saw it too. Garfield didn’t. He immediately started eating. Two bites.
Then he froze.
“Garfield?” I stood up quickly. “Hey, are you okay?”
No answer. Just coughing.
Eleven spoke quietly, “No… he’s not okay.”
Garfield stumbled toward the bathroom, barely able to stand. My chest tightened. This wasn’t random.
“This is poison,” I said, louder now. “Someone poisoned the food.”
The room went silent. The maid stepped forward again. “I will call the police now.”
Again Calm. Controlled. Almost like she had been waiting for this exact moment. That’s when I knew. She knew something. I couldn’t just stand there anymore. I stepped away from the table, trying to think, trying to connect everything. Two murders. Two different methods. But one pattern.
I stepped outside where Batman and Scrooge were talking.
“Batman,” I said, “something isn’t right.”
He looked at me. “I know. What do you have?”
“Strawberry Shortcake,” I said. “She’s too calm. And she was right next to Garfield when he ate.”
Eleven stepped closer. “She’s afraid… but not of us.”
That confirmed it.
“She’s hiding something,” I said.
And then it all started to make sense. Pikachu must’ve seen something in the kitchen. Something he wasn’t supposed to see. Garfield, Garfield ate the wrong plate. The poison wasn’t meant for him. It was meant for Scrooge. It wasn’t random. It was never random.
“This was planned,” I said, my voice steady now. “The poison was meant for Scrooge. Garfield was just in the wrong place.”
Batman nodded slightly.
“And Pikachu?” he asked.
I swallowed. “He saw it happen. He saw her.”
Strawberry Shortcake. The name felt strange now. Too soft for what she had done.
“She killed him to keep him quiet,” I said.
The fire inside me wasn’t fear anymore. It was clarity. Everything fit. Too perfectly. I want to unleash what I know is inside of me, but that would ruin everything. I have to keep my emotions in check. By the time the police were called, it felt like the night had already ended. Not officially, But emotionally. Whatever this “gathering” was supposed to be was long gone. I looked back at the mansion, feeling that same cold weight from when I first arrived. Only now, I understood it. It wasn’t the house. It was the people inside it.
Secrets.
Greed.
Control.
That’s what caused all of this. And it cost two lives. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.
Interrogatory # 1
Case #: 722621
Suspect: Strawberry Shortcake
Investigator: Lt. Homer Simpson
Interrogator: To begin this investigation I shall start by reading your rights Mrs. Shortcake. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. You have the right to an attorney if you can not afford one, one will be provided for you. Now please go ahead and state your full name for the record.
Suspect: Strawberry Shortcake
Interrogator: Mrs. Shortcake I am sure you are aware of why you are here. You attended a dinner in Mr. Scrooge's home yesterday evening where two individuals were murdered.
Suspect: Yes I am aware of these facts sir.
Interrogator: Tell me Mrs. Shortcake what relation did you have with the two victims Pikachu and Garfield.
Suspect: None sir, I just met them yesterday and they seemed like such great people. This really is just a tragedy.
Interrogator: So in the short time you knew these individuals you grew a personal relationship? Or why is it that you say this is a tragedy?
Suspect: Well Mr. Simpson isn't any death tragedy? I did not have a personal relationship with any of the victims but I know in my heart I would have loved to have gotten to know them more.
Interrogator: A death does not have to be a tragedy if it has good outcomes for someone, or would you disagree Mrs Shortcake?
Suspect: Of course I disagree Sir . Do you think I am capable of such atrocities?
Interrogator: I'm not accusing you of anything Mrs I am simply doing my job. Now what can you tell me about your relationship with Mr. Scrooge the host of the dinner?
Suspect: Mr. Scrooge and I are business partners for a Strawberry Jam Company. He is like a father to me. He has taught me every secret skill in the business industry.
Interrogator: Secret skills? Would you care to elaborate on that Mrs. Shortcake?
Suspect: Well you know just tips on how to excel and eliminate other competition
Interrogator: Right okay. Mrs. Shortcake I would like to ask the main question of this interrogation. Where were you when each murder happened?
Suspect: At the time of the first murder I was getting ready for dinner in my room. Second floor on the east wing. The maid was actually helping me with my dress. You can ask her. And at the time of the second murder I was sitting at the table right next to Garfield. It was so awful really that something like this could happen to such good people.
Interrogator: Mrs. Shortcake would you like to make any further statements regarding this case?
Suspect: I just hope they find whoever is responsible for this mess. That's all.
Strawberry Shortcake smiled sweetly and exited the room.
Interrogatory #2
Case #: 722643- Witness Statement
Suspect: Strawberry Shortcake
Investigator: Lt. Homer Simpson
Witness: Mr. Bruce Wayne
Interrogator: Mr. Wayne, before we begin, I must remind you that you are providing a sworn witness statement regarding the events at Mr. Scrooge McDuck’s mansion on the evening of November 18th. Please state your full name for the record.
Witness: Bruce Wayne, or you can call me Batman.
Interrogator: ….Right. Mr. Wayne, you were McDuck’s first guest to arrive the night of November 18th, correct?
Witness: Yes, yes I was. I got there a little before six o’clock. The butler, Wadsworth, and two maids greeted me at the door.
Interrogator: Okay, so let’s discuss the first murder. Pikachu. The time of death was approximately 7 p.m. And where were you when this happened?
Witness: I was in the hallway. I heard a loud thud and ran to the scene immediately to discover he was already dead.
Interrogator: Who discovered the body?
Witness: Garfield was there moments after.
Interrogator: Did anything unusual happen when this occurred?
Witness: Yes. One of the maids was unsettlingly calm. She only suggested that we should call the police before anyone even could register what had happened.
Interrogator: Hm okay. Now, let's talk about the second murder. Garfield. The time of death was approximately 8 p.m. Where were you when this happened?
Witness: We were all at the dinner table before Garfield collapsed a few bites into his meal. Strawberry Shortcake was seated next to him.
Interrogator: Right. And how was the dinner service? Did you notice anything strange?
Witness: Actually, yes I did. When the butler was placing the plates, he hesitated. The poison was meant for McDuck.
Interrogator: And how do you know this?
Witness: Scrooge confronted me after dinner. He claimed that the maid tried to kill him and confessed to Strawberry Shortcake trying to poison him. She saw Shortcake kill Pikachu in the hallway and accepted a bribe to keep quiet.
Interrogator: So in your opinion, Strawberry Shortcake is responsible for the murders of Pikachu and Garfield?
Witness: Yes, I believe so.
Interrogator: And the maid witnessed the first murder, correct?
Witness: Yes.
Interrogator: Okay. Do you have any final words you would like to add?
Witness: I have one last thing. Bloom and Eleven have the same timeline and can support that Strawberry Shortcake is a killer.
Interrogator: Thank you, Mr. Wayne. You can be seated.
I rose from the chair to a silent room. I didn’t expect anything, but Strawberry Shortcake smiled as I passed by. It was practiced, but we had seen the truth behind the sweetness.
Interrogatory #2: Eleven
Case #: 722621
Investigator: Lt. Homer Simpson
A bright light flashed into Eleven’s eyes, She pulled away in pain and attempted to cover up her face with her hands.
Interrogator: So tell me, Eleven. What were you doing the night that these two sinister murders occurred
Eleven looked at the floor. She struggled with the uncomfortable eye contact that was gleaming into her soul. Years of isolation being held captive in a research laboratory tends to make social exchanges more difficult to follow. She bit her lip.
Interrogator: Eleven, We need your help to solve this mystery. Just tell us what you saw the night of the dinner party.
Eleven swallowed and took a deep breath,
“Big Mansion. Duck.”
Eleven recalled the events of the night. She was not quite sure the reason for her invite to the old Scrooge McDuck Manor.
She approached the scene with caution, having no clue what horrible atrocities the night had in store. When Eleven entered the old house, her eyes darted across the wooden floors, on edge constantly.
She never turned her back for more than a few seconds, and she trusted absolutely no one.
Bloom had attempted to make small conversation with her, which she politely responded when prompted, but El knew her place here, and it wasn’t to make friends.
Eleven was the first to hear the scream.
Her head whipped around and eyes widened, while her breathing became faster paced and harder to catch. She ran to see what the commotion was all about.
When Eleven saw Pikachu on the ground, she was terrified.
She had no idea what to do.
She was absolutely frozen in fear, in a house full of people she didn’t know.
A Maid offered to call the police, but Wadsworth interrupted the exchange, inviting the group for drinks
Eleven was in disbelief.
She knew she didn’t understand a lot about this world. But something was definitely off about this place.
El was sick to her stomach,
How do you walk in on a dead body and just move onto dinner?
The whole situation was just absolutely bizarre.
Two bites into dinner, Garfield begins to choke and gasp for air.
Eleven is frozen in fear, once again, Unable to do anything but sit in fear.
The maid goes off once again to call 911, and Eleven watches as Bloom and Batman disappear into the hall together.
At this moment, she regains her awareness.
El gets up and follows the two.
She hears, ““Batman… I think Strawberry Shortcake isn’t who you think she is.”
Gaining a soft but sure voice, “She’s scared. But not of us.” El said.
Interrogator: Eleven, what motive do you think that Strawberry Shortcake could have, if this is who you believe committed these heinous acts?
Eleven shifted in her seat.
She thought long and hard
“Business Partners”
Interrogator: Thank you Eleven, Please be seated.
INTERROGATION #3
Case #: 722654 - Witness statement
Witness: Bloom
Suspect: Strawberry Shortcake
Investigator: Lt. Homer Simpson
Interrogator: Please state your full name for the record.
Witness: Bloom.
Interrogator: Bloom, you were present at both incidents that occurred at Mr. McDuck’s mansion, correct?
Witness: Yes. I saw everything that mattered.
Interrogator: Let’s begin with the first victim, Pikachu. Where were you at the time of his death?
Witness: I was in the hallway nearby. I heard the scream and ran over. He was already… gone.
Interrogator: Did anything stand out to you at that moment?
Witness: Yes. The maid. She was too calm. She asked to call the police immediately, before anyone even reacted. That didn’t feel right.
Interrogator: Interesting. Now, the second victim, Garfield. What did you observe?
Witness: He ate the food. Not long after, he started choking and couldn’t stand. It was poison.
Interrogator: Do you believe that poison was intended for Garfield?
Witness: No. That wouldn’t make sense. If none of us knew each other, who would want to kill him? It was probably meant for Scrooge McDuck. Garfield just took the wrong plate.
Interrogator: And who do you believe is responsible?
Witness: I really don’t know who it could have been. I don’t know anyone well enough to say. A few were too calm though like I previously stated. If I had to say someone, I’d say Strawberry Shortcake.
Interrogator: I understand. It is a serious accusation. Why her?
Witness: Someone had to have motive, opportunity. This was too controlled to be random. Pikachu likely witnessed whoever was in the kitchen. That’s why he was killed. She bragged about being close to him. She had no emotions all night other than a smile, all night.
Interrogator: Do you have any final statement?
Witness: This wasn’t chaos. It was planned. And the truth has been here the entire time. You just have to look for it.
Interrogator: Thank you, Bloom.
I stood up, the room quiet around me.
For a moment, no one said anything.
But they didn’t need to.
I did what I could
Gingerbread Prison
Inmate number 722435
Strawberry Shortcake was laying upside down in her bed when she heard slow footsteps followed by the thud of a cane approaching her jail cell. She sprang to her feet and ran towards the ginger bars. Sure enough on the other side of the bars was no one other than Scrooge.
Scrooge: “ You spoiled brat , it wasn't enough that I raised you and gave you a part of this company. You wanted to steal it all from me.”
Strawberry Shortcake: “ It's not stealing if it rightfully belongs to you” She hissed. “You knew what that business meant to me and you never treated me as an equal partner. You even invited old friends to dinner to convince them to out buy me from the company. You deserved it.”
Scrooge: “ YOU WERE WILLING TO KILL ME”
Strawberry Shortcake: “ BECAUSE YOU WERE TAKING ALL I HAD”
Scrooge: “ It never belonged to you Shortcake. I should have known bringing you into this business would make you greedy just like your father.”
Strawberry lunged towards Scrooge but slammed against that bar. “ Don't you dare talk about my father, you filthy duck,” she threatened.
Scrooge shook his head. “ You'll never learn Strawberry. I invited those friends to dinner because they are my most trustworthy friends that I wanted you to learn from, but look how that turned out. Your greed played games with your head. I was never going to take you out of the company. I was going to expand it.” Scrooge sighed. “ It doesn't matter anymore. You ruined yourself.” Strawberry felt like someone had slapped her across the face. Scrooge pulled out a newspaper out of his briefcase and threw it at Strawberry. “ Here's your headline success. Goodbye Strawberry Shortcake” , he said softly.
Strawberry waited for Scrooge to walk away till she picked up the newspaper. The headline read: STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE ARRESTED FOR MURDER, A ROTTEN STRAWBERRY. For once Strawberry Shortcake could not muster her sweet fake smile.